Mind Maps* - A Powerful Approach to Note Taking How to Use Tool: Mind Maps are very important techniques for improving the way you take notes. By using Mind Maps you show the structure of the subject and linkages between points, as well as the raw facts contained in normal notes. Mind Maps hold information in a format that your mind will find easy to remember and quick to review. Mind Maps abandon the list format of conventional note-taking. They do this in favor of a two-dimensional structure. A good Mind Map shows the 'shape' of the subject, the relative importance of individual points and the way in which one fact relates to other. Mind Maps are more compact than conventional notes, often taking up one side of paper. This helps you to make associations easily. If you find out more information after you have drawn the main Mind Map, then you can easily integrate it with little disruption. Mind Maps are also useful for:
Mind Maps are also very quick to review - it is easy to refresh information in your mind just by glancing at one. Mind Maps can also be effective mnemonics - remembering the shape and structure of a Mind Map can provide the cues necessary to remember the information within it. They engage much more of the brain in the process of assimilating and connecting facts than conventional notes. Drawing Basic Mind Maps
Figure 1: Part of an Example Mind Map To make notes on a subject using a Mind Map, draw it in the following way:
As you come across new information, link it in to the Mind Map appropriately. A complete Mind Map may have main topic lines radiating in all directions from the center. Sub-topics and facts will branch off these, like branches and twigs from the trunk of a tree. You do not need to worry about the structure produced - this will evolve of its own accord. Note that the idea of 'levels' in Figure 1 is only used to help show how the Mind Map was created. All we are showing is that major headings radiate from the center, with lower level headings and facts branching off from the higher level headings. While drawing Mind Maps by hand is appropriate in many cases, software tools like Ygnius and ConceptDraw MindMap improve the process by helping to you to produce high quality Mind Maps, which can easily be edited and redrafted. Improving your Mind Maps
Key points: Mind Maps provide an extremely effective method of taking notes. They show not only facts, but also the overall structure of a subject and the relative importance of individual parts of it. Mind Maps help you to associate ideas and make connections that might not otherwise make. If you do any form of research or note-taking, try experimenting with Mind Maps. You will find them surprisingly effective. |
Copyright © 2003 Yahoo! Inc. All rights reserved. |
Home | Profile | Art | Music | Images | Creative | Islam | Love | Tones | Hobbies | * |